It's no secret that the girls play softball, from the beginning of the school season in spring, and through the summer with travel ball. This year, some unforeseen circumstances changed our summer (ASA) travel team situation, and it ended up being the best thing that could have happened to us. After years of having the girls on different teams because of their age, we're thrilled to have both girls playing on the same team, and with a new coach. They have learned a lot this year, and have had a great softball experience. They are "playing up" at the 18U level, and have travelled for tournaments that they wouldn't otherwise have attended, including college exposure tournaments, and exposure camps.
So, here's my girls in the dugout at their first tournament of the year, with big smiles for mom and the camera:
They both did very well with taking the hitting instruction they got from their coach, and applying it in game situations. This is Darcie, with an excellent bunt:
Alyssa was thrilled to knock a powerhouse home run, also using the hitting techniques she learned from her coach. This is her with a huge smile, heading for home plate, and the team heading out to greet her:
Since this team is made up of girls who are really aiming to play collegiate softball, they also did a professional team photo for the team website. Click on this picture for a better look at it. Alyssa is second from the left in the back row. Darcie is second from the right in the front (you can't miss her hair!). Pitchers are the ones holding softballs, and catchers are wearing their gear. I LOVE this photo -- it turned out so great!
I'm also impressed with this particular group of girls. They are talented, positive, and supportive of each other. The coach has been great about being involved with Alyssa's pitching and Darcie's catching. He's measured Alyssa's stride, "gunned" her for speed (which is faster than we'd previously thought), and can really push her to do her very best. Darcie has progressed in leaps and bounds as a catcher, with the drills and instruction she has received.
Each girl on the team also has a secondary position they play. For Alyssa, when she's not pitching, she's usually at third or first base, although she made plays in the outfield, too. Darcie is usually in left or right field when she's not catching:
One of the highlights for both girls this summer, was getting to go to the week-long softball camp at BYU. Since BYU is truly Alyssa's (and Darcie's) dream college, it was a great opportunity for her to meet the coaching staff and to be seen by them as well. We gave the girls the full camp experience, which meant sleeping in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria, and the GREAT evening activities that are included: two dances, and a trip to the waterpark. Both girls want to go back again next year. They met girls from all over, and made new friends:
If I'd been a split-second earlier with the camera shutter, I would have got the ball going into the glove for Darcie's centerfield catch. Instead, I got the follow-up steps with the ball already in the glove:
Alyssa pitched her heart out, especially as she was working with her hip being in a lot of pain that week. I loved hearing the other girls on her camp team as they called out to her during her pitching. It wasn't just "hey you", it was by name.
And it's kind of a thrill to know you're throwing on the same softball field you want to play on in just 2 more years. The camp was held at BYU's Gail Miller Field, with more also happening on the baseball field (which is just on the other side of the stadium)
Softball is not over for us yet this year, and if you consider the off-season work they do, softball is never really OVER. Good thing they love to play and we love to watch them!
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